Welcome to our Weekly Digest – stay in the know with some recent news updates relevant to business and the economy. The U.S. economy’s soft landing is still on track While there’s been a recent string of disappointing macroeconomic data, in reality, these developments are signs of the U.S. economy’s strengths, not weaknesses. The economic pessimism of the last few years has often been rooted in a misreading of the… Read more
What is Payroll? Payroll refers to the process of managing and processing employee compensation, including wages, salaries, bonuses, and deductions. This process includes calculating employee pay, withholding taxes, and other deductions, and ensuring that employees are paid accurately and on time. Preparing for Payroll Before you can start running payroll, there are a few steps you need to take to prepare: Legal and compliance requirements To ensure compliance with federal… Read more
Welcome to our Weekly Digest – stay in the know with some recent news updates relevant to business and the economy. How small businesses impact our economy Every year since 1963, U.S. presidents have issued a Small Business Week proclamation to recognize the contributions of entrepreneurs and small business owners. The theme of Small Business Week 2024, “Building on the Small Business Boom.” Five indicators that show the US economy is… Read more
Welcome to our Weekly Digest – stay in the know with some recent news updates relevant to business and the economy. The economy grew a disappointing 1.6% in Q1. What does it mean for interest rates? The U.S. economy slowed more than expected early this year as weaker business stockpiling and exports offset solid consumer spending and a flurry of housing construction. Overdraft/NSF Revenue in 2023 down more than 50% versus pre-pandemic… Read more
Welcome to our Weekly Digest – stay in the know with some recent news updates relevant to business and the economy. Yellen says US working to mitigate risks to global economy U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on Tuesday said a stronger-than-expected U.S. economic growth had helped power the global economy, and Washington was working to mitigate remaining risks to the global outlook and ensure sustainable long-term growth. Small business optimism reaches lowest… Read more
Welcome to our Weekly Digest – stay in the know with some recent news updates relevant to business and the economy. Fed’s rate-cut confidence wobbles as elevated inflation persists As Federal Reserve officials last year started steering the world towards possible interest rate cuts in 2024, they took heart in data showing inflation over many months had collapsed to the U.S. central bank’s 2% target, evidence their policies were curbing… Read more
Welcome to our Weekly Digest – stay in the know with some recent news updates relevant to business and the economy. U.S. remains world’s top destination for foreign direct investment for 12th consecutive year The United States has been ranked as the top destination for foreign direct investment for the 12th consecutive year according to Kearney’s Global Business Policy Council’s 2024 Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Confidence Index. Small business owner confidence… Read more
Welcome to our Weekly Digest – stay in the know with some recent news updates relevant to business and the economy. US economic growth for last quarter is revised up slightly to a healthy 3.4% annual rate The U.S. economy grew at a solid 3.4% annual pace from October through December, the government said Thursday in an upgrade from its previous estimate. The government had previously estimated that the economy… Read more
Welcome to our Weekly Digest – stay in the know with some recent news updates relevant to business and the economy. Entrepreneurship, startups, and business formation are booming across the U.S. Applications for new businesses, the number of startups, and the total number of businesses have skyrocketed across U.S. states and counties since 2021. Federal Reserve issues FOMC statement On March 20, 2024, the Federal Reserve raised the federal funds… Read more
Tax season is stressful. You have to make sure you’ve got all your documents in order and that everything is filed on time. You also need to double check that the numbers you have are correct, and if they’re not then it can be a real headache. Given how stressful tax time can be, keeping everything together can help you navigate tax season much more easily. Here are some benefits… Read more
Welcome to our Weekly Digest – stay in the know with some recent news updates relevant to business and the economy. How the enhanced CTC could impact tax season Tax season is well underway, but the fate of the $78 billion Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act, including the enhanced Child Tax Credit, is now in the hands of the Senate. It is unclear when the legislation will cross… Read more
Welcome to our Weekly Digest – stay in the know with some recent news updates relevant to business and the economy. US economic activity increased slightly in recent weeks, Fed survey shows There was an uptick in U.S. economic activity from early January through late February while inflation and the jobs market presented conflicting signals on how quickly they will cool further, a U.S. Federal Reserve survey showed on Wednesday,… Read more
Marketing can feel like a daunting task for small business owners. If you’re new to the game, or maybe you’ve been in business for a while and just haven’t quite cracked the code, navigating the world of marketing can be overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to be. Your business deserves to be seen, heard, and thriving – and with the right guidance, you can make marketing work for you. Let’s… Read more
Welcome to our Weekly Digest – stay in the know with some recent news updates relevant to business and the economy. Forecasters raise expectations for 2024 U.S. economy This year looks to be a much better one for the U.S. economy than business economists were forecasting just a few months ago, according to a survey recently released. The U.S. is set to pay more on interest on its debt than… Read more
Welcome to our Weekly Digest – stay in the know with some recent news updates relevant to business and the economy. New study unveils the major companies behind the great US employment boom A new study reveals that tech giants like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft are among the top companies where employees are seeking new jobs. Despite high salaries, workers are leaving due to job dissatisfaction, seeking better work-life balance,… Read more
Getting caught up on a week that got away? Here’s your weekly digest of some stories relevant to business and the economy. IRS warns tax refunds will be much lower this year Inflation-hit Americans who filed their taxes early have received, on average, smaller tax refunds this year, according to data published by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). How a government shutdown would impact your money: Student loans, Social Security,… Read more
Welcome to our Weekly Digest – stay in the know with some recent news updates relevant to business and the economy. The US economy is crushing it compared to other rich countries The US economy is expected to outpace Canada and Germany in 2024 despite inflation and interest rate hikes. Growth is fueled by consumer spending and business investments, while the Fed’s aggressive rate increases aim to control inflation. The… Read more
Welcome to our Weekly Digest – stay in the know with some recent news updates relevant to business and the economy. The US economy is crushing it compared to other rich countries The US economy is expected to outpace Canada and Germany in 2024 despite inflation and interest rate hikes. Growth is fueled by consumer spending and business investments, while the Fed’s aggressive rate increases aim to control inflation. The… Read more
Welcome to our Weekly Digest – stay in the know with some recent news updates relevant to business and the economy. Fed’s Powell sees lower rates on the horizon as inflation ebbs, economy bounces ahead Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, in a sweeping endorsement of the U.S. economy’s strength, said on Wednesday that interest rates had peaked and would move lower in coming months, with inflation continuing to fall and… Read more
Getting caught up on a week that got away? Here’s your weekly digest of some stories relevant to business and the economy. By the numbers: U.S. Economy grows faster than expected for year and final quarter of 2023 The U.S. Commerce Department’s Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) reported fourth quarter real gross domestic product (GDP) increased at an annual rate of 3.3 percent in the fourth quarter of 2023 exceeding expectations.… Read more